I have decided to join the blogging craze. I am looking forward to taking a moment to find out a little more about the plants I have been photographing. I hope to explore all aspects of plants, flowers, trees and other garden related topics. Sorry about having to watermark the photos but there are a lot of people using them without permission.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Rainbow Orchid

Rainbow OrchidVanda Crownfox Sky 'Blue Lace'(VAN-duh)

Happy New Year to everyone. Personally I am happy to see 2010 move off into the shadows of time and am looking forward to 2011. Today’s flower is one of my favorite groups of Orchids. They are one of the five horticulturally significant orchid genera even though it is a small genus of 50 species. They are continually being used for breeding because of the large and showy flowers. For me it is the colors of the Vandas that are attractive, you just don’t get that blue/purple color elsewhere.

The strap leaved types are easy to grow indoors. They like it warm with filtered to strong light. Good drainage and good air circulation are also necessary. They bloom every couple of months with each of the flowers lasting a couple of weeks.